Za'atar-Spiced Beet Dip with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts

Beets have a strong presence in the cuisine of almost every ethnic group in Jerusalem, Yotam Ottolenghi explains. They color pickling juices on the Arab table and form the basis for a soup of Jewish, Iraqi and Kurdish origin. Ottolenghi purees them for this luscious spread.
Slideshow:Delicious Beet Recipes

Beets have a strong presence in the cuisine of almost every ethnic group in Jerusalem, Yotam Ottolenghi explains. They color pickling juices on the Arab table and form the basis for a soup of Jewish, Iraqi and Kurdish origin. Ottolenghi purees them for this luscious spread.
Slideshow:Delicious Beet Recipes

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Ingredients

6 medium beets (1 1/2 pounds), trimmed

2 small garlic cloves, minced

1 small red chile, seeded and minced

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon za’atar

Salt

1/4 cup roasted skinned hazelnuts, chopped

2 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Warm bread, for serving

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°. Put the beets in a small roasting pan and add 1/4 cup of water. Cover with foil and bake for about 1 hour, until tender. Let cool slightly.

Step 2

Peel the beets, cut into wedges and transfer to a food processor. Add the garlic, chile and yogurt and pulse until blended. Add the olive oil, maple syrup and za’atar and puree. Season with salt. Scrape into a wide, shallow bowl. Scatter the hazelnuts, goat cheese and scallions on top and serve with bread.